Chapter 8: Along Came a Spider
Perry White's office, the Daily Planet
Lois entered Perry's office with a bang. Forcing her way into his office she tells the intern standing next to Perry to get out.
"Sorry Miss Lane," the poor girl said as she rushed out of the office.
Perry just shook his head. He knew what was coming. For two weeks he had tried to avoid coming into the office for the fear of having to hear whatever ridiculous story Lois was trying to sell him on. He knew enough that Lois and Superman were 'together' in relationship with one another. But after Superman abrupt exit from public life his old reporter skills kicked in. Superman probably didn't tell her about it. She was pissed. Understandable, but Lois was fair from an understanding person. He figured she was tired of him dodging her and decided to confront him publicly.
"It's been almost a month Perry," she hissed. "You can't pick up your fucking phone…"
Perry sighed, "You do know I have a business to run right?"
"Hence you not running a story from your number one reporter doesn't seem to be in your best interest," she added. "Did you at least read it?"
Perry nodded. He felt sick to his stomach. How could she hand him this 'alt-right' level hate piece? And claiming Clark and he are the same person. He believed that part. It made since. They were never in the same place at the same time and Clark's constant tardiness. But claiming him to be illegally here and a danger. That wasn't right.
The social atmosphere as it is now with this type of piece. No, the Daily Planet wasn't about to play that kind of game. Not while he still called the shots.
"… and…" Lois said.
Perry thought on his words before replying.
"I'm not running it," Perry finally said after a long silence.
"What do you mean you aren't going to run this story Perry!" Lois belted. "Clark Kent is Superman! Smallville has been lying to you Perry. Hell to everyone! Doesn't the world need to know…"
Tossing her hands into the air as she spoke. Perry leaned back in his large chair and took a long drag from his cigarette.
"Last time I checked he constantly saves you ass whenever you get into something," he replied.
"That's not the point Perry!" she hissed back. "If he's willing to lie about what he really is then…"
"And what would the government have done to a baby alien who landed on earth?" Perry asked. "I highly doubt they would have been a loving family to him…"
Lois slammed her fists down unto his desk.
"This is the story of the fucking century!" she hissed.
"And I thought Superman and Clark were your friend," he added.
Lois scoffed. Perry's steel grey eye stared at Lois. He might have been fooled by Clark's lying, but Lois. She was an open book.
"He is a story," she replied. "Nothing more…"
"A story that loved you I assume," Perry interjected.
"Love is a human emotion and 'Clark' isn't human," she said. "He's been lying to the world for decades. Who knows what else he's hiding from us…"
Perry took another drag from his cigarette before replying, "I'm not running this story Lois. Now you can either get the hell out of my office or you can get dragged out. Your choice."
Lois cussed under her breath, "Fine have it your way, but the truth will come out Perry."
She turned to leave.
"… But not from this newspaper," Perry added as Lois slammed to door to his office.
Perry picked up his phone and dialed to the front desk.
"I understand Mr. White," the assistant said. "Miss Lane isn't allowed back into the building until I say so."
"Thank you," Perry replied.
She needed time to cool off. Lois was a hot-head, but she wasn't stupid. Yes, is was mad because Superman left, but the consequences that would happen if she outed him. None of us would be safe.
"God, I know I said I wouldn't drink but I kind of need one right now," Perry muttered under his breath.
Some marked building in Metropolis
A bald man sat behind a massive wooden desk as a woman entered the room.
"Mercy, did you get it all?" the bald man asked.
The woman lifted her phone and pressed play.
"Clark Kent is Superman! Smallville has been lying to you Perry. Hell to everyone!"
The bald man smiled, "Well, well Superman I guess the pen is mightier than the sword."
"Release this footage Mercy," the bald man ordered. "Try one of our more conservative news outlets."
Mercy nodded before leaving the bald man alone.
"Mercy wait," the bald man called out.
Mercy stopped in the middle of the doorway.
"Yes Lex," she replied.
"Send Miss Lane a bouquet of flowers," Lex said with a smile. "And please telling Luthor send his regards."
Twenty- four hours later in the Womb of the Watchtower
"What the hell is going…"
Batman walked up beside J'onzz who had ever news station on all the monitors. J'onzz pointed to the monitors.
Breaking News Superman identity has been leaked
Daily Planet Reporter Lois Lane suspected to be the leaker
A revenge outing of Superman!
"How did this happen?" Batman asked.
"It started on a few right-wing anti Superman sites and then got blasted by a conservative one," J'onzz said.
"Have you tried to get in contact with Superman?" Batman asked.
"He's still off the grid," J'onzz replied. "Diana said he just left Themyscira earlier this morning. She said he was heading to Smallville."
Batman sighed.
"I don't believe Lois leaked this," J'onzz added.
"No this isn't her style," Batman replied. "But someone knew she would be upset about his leaving. She's a pawn in someone else's scheme."
"Luthor?" J'onzz asked.
Batman didn't need to reply because J'onzz already knew.
"Have you made contact with Lois?" Batman asked.
"I thought you might want to take the lead on this one," J'onzz replied. "I think Diana would be better suited to handle Superman."
"Keep me posted J'onzz," Batman replied. "Place the League on high alert. This whole thing could go sideways quickly."
J'onzz nodded, "I'll join Wonder Woman in Smallville."
Batman couldn't shake the feeling this was about to get nasty. The hate groups against Superman had been growing since his departure and Lex was just the type of fool to weaponize them.
